How Unfastened Ponytails Can Harm Hair Whereas You Train

In case your ponytail reaches past shoulder-length, it doubtless swishes forwards and backwards as you progress. This, Smith says, is the place you possibly can (actually) run into points: “For those who go for a run and you’ve got your hair free whipping forwards and backwards, it’s an absolute recipe for break up ends and actually dry friction burn on the ends of your hair.” 

An excessive amount of friction, as we all know, can set off bodily injury, raise up the cuticle, and trigger frizz. It’s why you may sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase versus cotton or linen materials, so your strands glide simpler throughout the floor, which helps them retain their smoothness and shine. (And on that word, you may need to spend money on some silk scrunchies to additional defend your tresses.) For those who’re not partaking in intense exercise, this clearly poses much less of an issue; low-to-moderate depth coaching (assume yoga, Pilates, or strolling) received’t create as a lot friction, so a free ponytail could also be A-OK. 

It’s extra of a warning for HIIT exercises or jogs: As a lot as you could need to resemble an iconic Baywatch babe once you hit the pavement, all that swishing forwards and backwards can hurt your hair within the long-run. “That’s like whiplash to your hair,” Smith provides. 

As a substitute, he recommends wrapping your hair right into a bun or braid, in order that your ends keep tucked in and guarded. Once more, simply ensure you’re not pulling too tightly once you’re tying, so that you don’t trigger breakage on the hairline. For buns, you may also need to change up the location now and again: “This manner it isn’t repeated injury in the very same spot—you are giving your hair a break,” hairstylist Levi Monarch as soon as shared with us. 

It’s a fragile dance, and on the finish of the day, a number of damaged hairs shouldn’t deter you from breaking a sweat—common train, in spite of everything, is nice to your magnificence routine. However should you’re an avid runner otherwise you discover your pony bopping round throughout a spin class, you may need to tuck within the ends á la buns or braids. Maybe save the lovable pony to your stroll residence.